David riding a bike

Riding bikes with dad

Purdue fountains

                                                                         Getting out and cooling off.

                                     Ruthie's light hair is a far cry from her jet black baby puff 2 years ago.

36 weeks

                                                                Ruthie calls the twins my "tummy babies".

Happy Father's day

Paul has wanted a bike for awhile.  One day last week he came home with a bike!  He is excited to ride to school and with the kids.  We love you dad. 

above average

One of the first questions Paul asked when we found out I was carrying twins was: "when will they come?".  The nurse stated that 35 weeks was the average amount of time mothers of twins delivered.  So, today I am above average!  I am 35 weeks and not in labor.  We are doing good.  This week I have felt better than previous weeks.  I think coming to terms that I will be in pain everyday helped. Before, when I had pain I was worried of preterm labor.  I have felt the prayers of family

 and friends.  I thank you for your prayers.  Thank you so much.

35 weeks * picture taken by Eden *

Tonight Eden prayed that the babies will be handsome.  Ruthie always wants to lift up my shirt and kiss the babies.  After she gives my tummy a kiss she says, "the babies are crying."  David is oblivious to my pregnancy and hounds me to have friends over, go to the park, swim at the pool, jump on the tramp, swing on the swings.  He is an active kid.  Paul is nice and has been a BIG help.  He asks me everyday what he can do to help.  That reminds me...I need to tell him to scrub the tub.  

The weather has been wonderful these past two weeks.  We have tried to enjoy it as much as possible.  Our garden is doing better than we expected.  The grass is turning brown, we need rain.  Paul has been running the hose at night, it is hard to hear the water run that long.  I am not looking forward to our water bill.  Sometimes I forget that people have sprinklers.

On Sunday the closing song was "I am a child of God."  It was so tender to see all my children singing!  Ruthie & Eden were the loudest.  It was a precious moment to have our whole family actually singing a song together in sacrament meeting.  

     

Camping

Paul took the kids to the stake family camp out on Mother's Day weekend.  They had fun.  I stayed home and cleaned the house, did laundry, hung pictures and worked on the car seat cushions with Kanien.  It was so nice to have the house ALL to myself.  Best Mother's Day present.  

34 weeks

                                                    Here I am.  34 weeks.  Gigantic!  Huge!  Enormous!  It's embarrassing to go out in public because every look and comment refers to the word, "POP".    

I have had 14 weeks to mentally and physically prepare for these twins.  Am I ready?  No.  In fact, I am becoming more and more anxious.  Everyday I rehearse names over in my head.  We have no names!  What is wrong with us?!   

I have this goal that every night when I go to bed my house will be sparkling clean ready for any situation.  This is not happening.  I am slow.  It's amazing how long it takes me to do things.  I look forward to the day when I can clean a bathroom in 10 minutes.  I apologize right now if you are the person who comes to my house spur of the moment.  I'm sure the bathroom will smell like pee (because with David's aim and Ruthie potty training...that is one area I can't seem to keep smelling fresh).

My mother is coming for a month.  I am counting down the days. 20 days now.  I am more excited to have her come than to deliver the babies.  I know that sounds terrible.  I just am a little nervous about 2 babies coming out!  Especially when the ultrasound tech said their heads are measuring bigger than normal.  Oh boy.

I have been so blessed.  It has been a problem free pregnancy.  I have not had any complications.  I am grateful for that.  I feel like the babies are healthy.  This has definitely been my hardest pregnancy...duh.  Being huge on the outside AND inside is an uncomfortable experience.   

                                                                          Let's talk about the cons:

I have a pinched nerve (at least that's what we think it is...feels like a cracked rib or a hernia) which constantly provides a sharp pain on my right side 24/7.  Going to the bathroom is a joke.  Seriously, I have never experienced this before.  The babies will move and I have to go to the bathroom.  Even if I went 2 minutes prior.  My legs cramp every night and I spend the whole day with sore calves.  I have a mustache from dark spots under my nose.  Sitting straight up is crazy uncomfortable.  The heart burn is terrible.  Any sudden movement makes me sweat and light headed.  My back, oh the aches and pains in my back.  Bending down is comical.  Basically...all the complainants of a woman's last week of pregnancy...only it lasts much longer than a week!       

                                                                        Now let's focus on the pros:

I am having twins!  Can you believe it?!  I seriously can't.

I get nervous and anxious before every delivery.  This is a trial of my faith.  I tend to lack faith and let fear take over.  You'd think a 30 year old women won't be afraid of a baby (or babies to be exact).  Am I strange?

I try to visualize what it will be like having 2 babies.  I just can't.  How do you pick up and hold 2 newborns at the same time?  I need to start giving myself motivational pep talks in the mirror.  Something like...."I am awesome.  I am Shera!  I can do this."

Thanks for the chat.  That's an update from me.  In case you were curious.         

May

Our garden has grown and the kids are enjoying the peas.

                           There has been a lot of fighting.

There has been a lot of outside play. 

                                                                                        Sprinklers

                                                               This 6 year old finished kindergarten. 

Cubs & The Bean

                                                                             Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves

 Paul's semester is over.  We ventured to Chicago for a family fun day.  We went to Wrigley Field and saw the Cubs.  The kids loved their hot dogs and had a blast.  Everyone sitting by us adored Ruthie, which is good for me to remember how cute she can be.  Her terrible two phase...screaming, pinching, throwing, disobeying, kicking and defiant personality has been challenging.  After the game we road the train downtown to The Bean.  The kids loved it.    

 30 + weeks.  Overall I am doing great.  I have the obvious UNCOMFORTABLE complaints: leg cramps, heart burn, trouble breathing, nausea, itching and back pain.  That is all to be expected though.  The boys are growing.  At 27 weeks they were 2 lbs 6 oz & 2 lbs 1 oz.  They are both head down, not many contractions, no swelling in my feet or any other signs of trouble. 

Ty's visit

My brother Tyler came to visit us a few weeks ago.  He was on his way to New Jersey for the summer.  It was a quick overnight stop.  Tyler was our first visitor in our house.  We pulled out the red carpet.  Paul gave him a Purdue t-shirt,  David let him sleep on the bottom bunk and I made Holly's sour cream blueberry pancakes in the morning.  It was great to see him.  Come again soon Ty.

Kindergarten

Eden had her kindergarten musical program today.

This girl and her style. It takes her 5 minutes to get dressed and 20 minutes to accessories herself. Today she took one of my earrings and put it on a silver chain. She also wrapped a stretchy headband to make an anklet. I must say I LOVE school uniforms. It gives Eden a guideline, which she needs.
Eden loves kindergarten. She loves her teacher, Mrs. Koch. After the program I went to her classroom. She showed me around and kept talking and talking. There were about 5 children who didn't have parents come, they were waiting in the classroom. One little girl started crying. Mrs. Koch took them to the garden to distract them. It broke my heart. I was so thankful I was able to be there for Eden. I always want to be there for her. It was a simple little program but I know Eden worked hard and was so excited to say her turkey poem.

LOL

Happy Easter

Wallin/Wilson families had their annual easter egg hunt & lunch

Sunday morning

First tooth

David lost his first tooth!

Then two days later (today) he lost another tooth. His bottom tooth is pushing all the babies one out. Today he got a crown! I thought he was getting a cavity filled. I noticed a huge silver cap on his tooth while we were checking out at the dentist office. Oh goodness.

His left cheek was numb. He kept playing with it. I gave him a banana to eat in the car. A few minutes later he said, "mom, why is there blood on my banana?". I looked over and saw he had bit his lip. The poor kid still has a huge fat lip. The tooth fairy will visit tonight, which means David will want to go to the dollar store and get another airplane tomorrow.

pregnancy journaling

25 weeks

This pregnancy has been different than the rest. In the first trimester I was so tired....so tired. I had terrible dreams. I fought nausea all day, it got worse at night. I had to lay down by 3pm otherwise my world would start spinning. I did not throw up as much compared to the other pregnancies. Usually, I get sick-throw up-get sick-throw up. This time I just felt terrible all day. At my 14 week mark I woke up expecting to feel better but I didn't. At 17 weeks I could tell the first trimester blues were over. I suspected maybe I wasn't as far along as I thought or this was an affect of age and 4th pregnancy.

At 21 weeks I remember sitting on the bleachers at the YMCA watching David's basketball class. It was hard to take a full breath. I was so uncomfortable sitting straight up without a back support. I had to go walk around for a few minutes. I felt bigger than only 21 weeks. Then again, the first trimester I found myself devouring cherry ICEE's and french fries. I stopped at more drive thru's in that first trimester than I had all year long. I bought little Caesar bread sticks once a week ( I have not eaten at Little Caesar's since 3rd grade in Alabama). I had the kid's order memorized at Taco Bell & Burger King. I also found myself eating avocados and cheese like crazy. I'm not a big cheese person but everyday I would have an avocado, cheese and tomato sandwich with salt and pepper.

The next day (at 21 weeks) I found out I was carrying twin boys. The morning of my ultra sound I was saying my prayers. I got up and this thought crossed my mind, "what if I have twins?" I dismissed the thought...because really doesn't every mother think that when she feels big? The reality of the pregnancy doesn't usually kick in until I actually see the baby at the ultra sound.

I walked into the ultra sound room feeling big and left wondering if I was big enough? Once I announced I was having twins my stomach made a big appearance! I actually have felt BETTER since finding out about the twins. It is a combination of Paul being much more nice and giving myself a break. I try not to tackle too many things. Trust me, my house is proof that I have been taking it easy. I look forward to the day when I have my energy back.

As of right now I will work on growing these babies and relying on the Lord. I become stressed when I think about the future. I can barely get Eden to school on time. I don't know how to solve the never ending fighting. Why is Ruthie still pinching? When am I going to potty train her? Why does it seem like Eden has yellow teeth? This weekend was spiritually enlightening for me. The spirit whispered to my heart that I need to rely on the Lord. I need to pray more. I need to put my family first. I need to not worry about myself and trust that my service and sacrifice will bring me happiness and peace.

It is grand being a mother.

7 years

Happy Anniversary! I'm not quite sure how I feel about 7 years of marriage. In a lot of ways I can't believe it's been 7 years. I can remember my single days so well. I have been reflecting on my wedding day...that seems like a blur. I remember bits and pieces. I remember going over to my cousin Kim's house and she did my hair. Then getting into my dress and driving myself to the temple for pictures. Paul met me in the parking lot, he was nervous I won't show up. Then I remember the special feeling of having our whole family in the temple. I was nervous to kiss Paul in front of all that family...I grabbed his face and gave him a kiss. I didn't want a long drawn out slobbery kiss, so I took some initiative. Funny, that Paul was worried about me not showing up and I was worried about kissing him in front of people.

Here we are 7 years later. I have changed (or at least tried to) and Paul has changed. Our kids have changed us. I often think about when Eden was little. I would get on Paul over EVERYTHING...banging the cupboards, slurping his cereal, handling the baby too rough, calling me too many times a day, watching tv, spending money, not listening, taking long showers, staying up late, shopping at Shopko, not paying attention in church, etc. etc. etc.

I was blessed to marry such a wonderful man who is grateful for me. He has always been grateful for me. He wasn't too picky, he was just so thankful to finally be getting married. I recall our first year of marriage I wanted to communicate more. I made a big list of things that bothered me. Things I wanted to discuss because they were important :). After I was done spilling my guts I asked him if there were things about me that I could change. I expected him to have a similar list. He had nothing. He said I was perfect. Now looking back I think he was just trying to end the conversation as soon as possible. Paul is not one for lengthy talks about feelings. He has taught me to look beyond the moment. To not be so serious and intense...especially when it comes to things that bother me. I have watched him grow into fatherhood. He has had to make a lot of adjustments these past 7 years. I love him for it. I will always love him. I choose to marry him. It was a good choice.

More adventures await us. What will 7 more years bring?